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Judge cautions jury in Boulevard murder trial

Dangerous to convict on unconfirmed evidence, Marsh says

JUSTICE Horace Marsh on Friday cautioned jurors that it was dangerous to convict the three policemen in the so-called Boulevard murder case based on the uncorroborated evidence of the prosecution's main witness.

Marsh, who was on his third day of summation, told jurors that no evidence was presented by the prosecution to corroborate the involvement of the accused men in the murders of Kemar Walters and Oliver Duncan.

However, Marsh told the jurors that they may convict if the witness satisfies them and they feel sure of the policemen's guilt.

Assistant Superintendent Victor Barrett and corporals Louie Lynch and Paul Edwards have been on trial since late October for the murder of the two men who were abducted the Washington Plaza, on Washington Boulevard, on December 23, 2004.

The prosecution has charged that Lynch and Edwards plotted to kill the men and that Barrett covered up the crime.

All three men have denied the allegations and presented unchallenged evidence which they are hoping will prove their innocence.

On Friday, Marsh told the jurors that they may find that the prosecution's main witness had an interest to serve when he decided to give evidence against the men. He reminded that when the witness was arrested in relation to the case he was taken to a safe place.

The defence had claimed that the main witness had given evidence against the accused men in order to avoid imprisonment. Attorney Valerie Neita-Robertson had said in her closing arguments last week that the witness, based on phone data and his own admission of involvement in the matter, was the mastermind of the murders. The witness had said that he was at an abandoned premises where the Honda-CRV of the victims was being burnt. He said that he may have been the one to purchase the gasoline that was used.

On Thursday, Marsh told the 12 jurors that they will have to decide whether or not the main witness can be believed, especially due to his evidence of his admission of what he did in the matter.

Also on Thursday, Marsh told jurors that they would have to decide whether or not Walters and Duncan were abducted from the plaza; whether or not they were killed by Lynch and Edwards; whether or not Barrett had knowledge of it and took steps to cover up the crime.

Marsh will continue his summation when the Home Circuit Court reopens today.